Introducing an integrated and comprehensive network of pediatric experts, from primary to highly specialized care, at the most convenient locations.
Chicagoland Children’s Health Alliance (CCHA) reflects a collaboration among University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital, Advocate Children’s Hospital and Pediatrics at NorthShore University HealthSystem.
The three organizations are committed to seamless, multidisciplinary teams who are passionate about providing the best possible care for children and their families. The CCHA currently shares expertise, best practices and resources across five main areas:
- Pediatric cancer and blood diseases
- Pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery
- Pediatric gastroenterology
- Pediatric neurology and neurosurgery
- Pediatric surgical care
The CCHA is laser-focused on providing quality outcomes and seamless patient experiences that exceed all expectations.
Pediatric Cancer and Blood Diseases: Building a New Level of Cancer Care
Pediatric Cancer Care at Comer Children's
Learn how we're building a new level of care for pediatric cancers and blood diseases.
Pediatric Cancer Care
A diagnosis of childhood cancer is a life-changing event for the entire family. Our care team is here for support from consultation through diagnosis and treatment, continuing with Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) programs. We offer one of the largest and most comprehensive portfolios of pediatric cancer clinical trials. Our patients often have access to new treatments years before they are widely available elsewhere. The CCHA pediatric cancer team is led by Tara Henderson, MD.
CCHA Stem Cell Transplant
- Pediatric brain tumors
- Ewing sarcoma in children
- Childhood leukemia
- Pediatric lymphoma
- Pediatric Neuroblastoma
- Pediatric Non-rhabdomyosarcoma
- Pediatric osteosarcoma
- Pediatric retinoblastoma
- Childhood rhabdomyosarcoma
- Young Adult Cancer Care
- Childhood cancer survivors center
- Pediatric cellular immunotherapy
- Pediatric chemotherapy
- Pediatric HIPEC
- Pediatric familial cancer clinic
- Pediatric fertility preservation
- Pediatric stem cell transplant
- Pediatric radiation oncology
- Pediatric cancer surgery
- Caitlin Agrawal, MD
- Mark A. Applebaum, MD
- Eric Beyer, MD, PhD
- Daniel Choi, MD
- Susan L. Cohn, MD
- Jason Canner, DO
- John M. Cunningham, MD
- Wendy S. Darlington, MD
- Jill de Jong, MD, PhD
- Ami V. Desai, MD, MSCE
- William Goodell, MD
- Katherine Harris, MD
- Tara Henderson, MD, MPH
- James LaBelle, MD, PhD
- Gabrielle Lapping-Carr, MD
- Rebecca McFall, MD
- Ricarchito Manera, MD
- Radhika Peddinti, MD
- Marie-Ellen Sarvida, MD
- Lindsay Schwartz, MD, MS
- Samuel L.Volchenboum, MD, PhD, MS
A Message from Tara Henderson, MD, MPH
Chief, Cancer and Blood Diseases, CCHA
I'm Tara Henderson, and I'm the Chief of Cancer and Blood Diseases for the Chicagoland Children's Health Alliance, something we refer to as the CCHA. I can tell you that we can deliver top-notch clinical care, as well as access to the best treatments and clinical trials to a broad range of patients throughout Chicagoland.
We work at three hospitals-- In Hyde Park, Park Ridge, and Oak Lawn, and also have multiple clinical sites of care. For example, in Wilmette, Naperville, as well as Marysville, Indiana.
And at these sites, we can deliver this cutting-edge care, and work among community pediatricians in collaboration with academic physicians at the University of Chicago, as well as academic scientists who are thinking about the next treatment for these patients.
So if you have an interest in working with us, please do not hesitate to reach out. Our contact is available at any time, and our physicians are looking forward to speaking with you.
Pediatric Gastroenterology: Specialized Digestive Disease Care
Pediatric GI Care at Comer Children's
Learn how we're providing specialized care for children with digestive diseases. Pediatric GI Care at Comer Children'sCCHA provides specialty expertise for a wide range of childhood gastroenterology illnesses including complex liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, eosinophilic esophagitis and celiac disease. Our convenient locations throughout Chicagoland, ensure every child and family receives the best care as close to home as possible.
With dedicated clinical and research experts, our centers of excellence offer opportunities for research and teaching in addition to patient care. Working with experts in immunology, social work, nursing, health education, dietetics, psychology, surgery, genetics and more, our team is developing novel therapies for the most complex cases. Through collaboration on clinical trials, quality improvement, outreach and training programs, our teams focus on the best patient outcomes and sharing our expertise with others.
- Aerodigestive conditions
- Achalasia
- Biliary atresia
- Celiac disease in children
- Childhood obesity and weight management
- Congenital colorectal anomalies
- Eosinophilic esophagitis
- Failure to thrive
- Fecal microbiota transplant
- Functional gastrointestinal disorders in children
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
- Pediatric food allergies
- Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease
- Pediatric liver diseases and liver transplant
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Short bowel syndrome
- Ruba Azzam, MD, MPH
- James Berman, MD
- Vince Biank, MD (Division Director, Pediatric Gastroenterology)
- Rebecca Casini, DO
- Jonathan Cordova, DO
- Esperanza Garcia, MD
- Ranjana Gokhale, MD
- Kiran Gorla, MD
- T. S. Gunasekaran, MD
- Hector Hernandez, MD
- Tiffany Patton, MD
- Amy Pawasarat, APN
- Timothy A. S. Sentongo, MD
- Robin Szajna, NP
- Ritu Verma, MD (Division Director, Pediatric Gastroenterology)
- Sona Young, MD
Pediatric Heart Care: World-Class Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery
Pediatric Heart Care at Comer Children's
Learn more about world-class pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery.
Pediatric Heart Care
Video Q&A: Pediatric Heart Disorders
Luca Vricella, MD, and Michael Earing, MD, discuss advancements advancements in heart research and pediatric heart disorders.
Video Q&A: Pediatric Heart Disorders
Our collective team is recognized by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and US News and World Report for being among the country’s highest performing pediatric heart programs including the largest, most comprehensive congenital heart program in the region. We combine our advancements in heart research with our understanding of the unique challenges facing children with heart disorders to improve diagnosis, treatment and outcomes for our patients. From detection of prenatal conditions to treatment for adult congenital heart disease, our experts deliver individualized treatment that span a lifetime of cardiovascular support.
The CCHA pediatric heart team is co-led by Luca Vricella, MD, Director of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery and Michael Earing, MD, Director of Pediatric Cardiology. Dr. Vricella specializes in the most complex pediatric heart surgeries including aortic surgeries, aortic aneurysms, mixed connective tissue disorders and neonatal cardiac surgeries. Dr. Earing specializes in adult congenital heart disease, Marfan syndrome, familial aortic aneurysms and pulmonary hypertension.
- Cardiac imaging
- Cardiogenetics program
- Electrophysiology
- Fetal cardiology
- Heart failure/transplant
- Interventional cardiology
- Marfan/aortopathy program
- Neurodevelopmental program
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Preventive clinic
- Single ventricle/high-risk
- Adult congenital heart disease
- Waseem Cossor, MD
- Michael Earing, MD
- David Gamboa, MD
- Rupali Gandhi, MD
- Abraham Groner, MD
- Joan Hoffman, MD
- Tarek Husayni, MD
- Alexander Javois, MD
- Rohit Loomba, MD
- Sunthorn Muangmingsuk, MD
- Melissa Nater, MD
- Kristen Nelson McMillan, MD
- Stephen Neuberger, MD
- Dhaval Patel, MD
- Michael Paul, MD
- David Roberson, MD
- Eleanor Ross, MD
- Tania Saroli, MD
- Ira Shetty, MD
- Saad Siddiqui, MD
- David Thoele, MD
- Paula E. Williams, MD, MS
- Andrew Van Bergen, MD
- Karla Wehrheim, MD
- Joshua Wong, MD
- Frank Zimmerman, MD
Pediatric Neurosciences: Compassionate and Cutting-Edge Neurology and Neurosurgery
Pediatric Neurosciences Care at Comer Children's
Learn more about our comprehensive pediatric neurology and neurosurgery services.
Pediatric NeurosciencesThe pediatric neurosciences care team at the Chicagoland Children’s Health Alliance (CCHA) is dedicated to developing innovative solutions and family-centered approaches that provide high quality care for every child.
The CCHA neurosciences team, comprised of specialists in pediatric neurology and neurosurgery, provides integrated specialty expertise across the Chicagoland region, including treatment for epilepsy, brain tumors, concussions and neuro-trauma, headaches, spinal deformities, craniofacial anomalies, and movement disorders. Our convenient locations in Evanston, Hyde Park, Park Ridge, Oak Lawn, Tinley Park, Naperville, and Merrillville ensure every child and family receives the best care as close to home as possible.
- Amy Calandriello, APC
- Ryan Coates, MD
- Paramita Das, MD, MS
- Henry David, MD
- Emily Doll, MD
- Leslie Finkel, MD
- Savanah Glazer, APN
- Michael Hammer, MD
- Takijah Heard, MD
- Moon Hee Hur, MD
- Judith Holleman, APRN, PCPNP-BC, CPNP-AC, CCRN
- Mo Ikramuddin, MD
- Amanda Johnson, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC/AC
- Elizabeth Lakani, APC
- Carol Macmillan, MD
- Julia McGrath, PA-C
- Margaret Michaelson, MD
- Danielle Natarus, MS, FNP-C
- Dimitrios Nikas, MD
- Douglas Nordli, MD (Co-Chief, Neurosciences Service Line, CCHA)
- Audrey Oetomo, MSN, CPNP
- Chalongchai Phitsanuwong, MD, FAAP, FAES
- Sean P. Polster, MD
- John Ruge, MD
- Nishant Shah, MD
- Aliesje Sorgeloos, MD
- Eric Thompson, MD (Chief, Pediatric Neurosurgery, CCHA)
- Farha Tokarz, MD
- James H. Tonsgard, MD
- Montida Veeravigrom, MD
- Peter Warnke, MD
- Bakhtiar Yamini, MD
Pediatric Surgery: Superior Care from Simple to Complex
Pediatric General Surgery at Comer Children's
Our pediatric surgeons provide expert care for simple and complex health conditions in children of all ages.
Pediatric Surgery
Our CCHA pediatric general surgeons are compassionate caregivers dedicated to developing innovative solutions and family-centered approaches that provide high quality care for every child. Our patients range from tiny and fragile preterm newborns to adolescents while we treat a wide range of conditions, including complex congenital anomalies, disorders of the chest and abdomen, trauma, and burns. Our surgeons collaborate and function as a close-knit group so each patient benefits from the collective experience and intellectual specialization of the larger surgical practice as well as specialists across the CCHA spectrum.
The pediatric surgical team is led by Jessica Kandel, MD. As Surgeon-in-Chief, University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital and Chief, Section of Pediatric Surgery, Dr. Kandel specializes in the treatment of pediatric cancers, including Wilms tumor, neuroblastoma and hepatoblastoma, as well as vascular anomalies (hemangiomas, venous malformations, lymphatic malformations).
Request an Appointment
For referring physicians:
Making a referral is simple. Call 877-UC-KID-MD (877-825-4363) to initiate a transfer or consult with a subspecialist to ensure seamless pediatric referrals and ongoing coordinated care for your young patients
The University of Chicago Medicine’s Comer Children’s Hospital has recently streamlined our transfer process and now offers you expedient customer service and reduced transfer times. All calls included both a transfer center nurse and a pediatric physician.
For parents and caregivers:
Call 1-888-824-0200 for an appointment.